Objectives The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a pre‐clinical training of ceramic crown preparation using the Virtual Educational System for Dentistry. Material and Methods Fifty‐seven dental students were recruited to prepare a ceramic crown under the guidance of the Real‐time Dental Training and Evaluation System (RDTES) in order to collect pre‐learning data. They participated in the online virtual learning course independently on the Virtual Learning Network Platform (VLNP). One week later, the students were invited to complete their post‐learning crown preparation with the RDTES. A questionnaire survey explored students' perceived benefits or drawbacks of the virtual educational system. Students were allocated into Group A (n = 15), B (n = 24) and C (n = 18) based on their pre‐learning performance. Differences of assessment results amongst different groups were evaluated by ANOVA and Kruskal‐Wallis tests. The pre‐ and post‐learning assessment results in all groups were compared using paired t tests or Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Results The error scores for four assessment items (instrument selection, preparation section, preparation reduction, preparation surface and profile) and total score of outcome assessment after the virtual learning were significantly different with those before the virtual learning (P < 0.05). There were significant interactions between time and student group in the mean scores of process and outcome assessments (P < 0.001), except for the assessment item “damage of adjacent teeth.” Conclusion The application of a Virtual Educational System for Dentistry with the VLNP and RDTES in pre‐clinical operative training helps students improve their clinical skills.
This study aims to explore the water quality of dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) and the diversity of microbial communities in DUWLs. Water samples from 33 dental chair units (DCUs) were collected, diluted and then spread on sterilized R2A plate for incubation. Subsequently, the microbial colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml) were recorded by an automatic colony analyzer. Total DNA extracted from the rest of the samples was tested on the Illumina MiSeq PE300 platform. T-test and Kruskal-Wallis rank test were adopted for statistical analysis. Significance was assumed at a P<0.05. After incubation, the average total microbial count was 21,413.13±17,861.00CFU/ml. High-throughput sequencing revealed 10 bacterial phyla, including 9 identified and 1 unclassified phyla. Totally 63 sequences were identified at the genus level, including 42 genera, 3 tentative species and 18 unclassified genera. In addition, 7 potential human pathogenic bacteria were detected. In summary, department, brand and service life of DCUs do not influence the water quality of DUWLs significantly. The diversity of microbial communities in DUWLs is abundant and includes both pathogenic and some unknown bacteria.
Background: This study evaluated and compared the shaping ability of four advanced single-file nickeltitanium (NiTi) systems during the preparation of curved second mesiobuccal (MB2) canals in maxillary first molar replicas fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) printing via micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) imaging.Methods: A total of 60 3D-printed maxillary first molar replicas were constructed from one extracted tooth, with an angle of curvature ranging from 15° to 25°. The MB2 canals from these 60 replicas were divided into 4 groups of 15 replicas according to the canal instrumentation system used, namely, Waveone gold (WOG), Reciproc blue (RCB), XP-endo shaper (XPS) and M3-L. The specimens were scanned before and after preparation using Micro-CT. The pre-and post-instrumentation images of each specimen were superimposed, and the amount of resin removed, the change in surface area, the canal transportation, and centering ability were assessed using the Mimics software. Instrumentation time was also recorded. One-way analysis of variance and least significant difference (LSD) tests were used to statistically compare the groups.The significance level was set at 5%.Results: Instrumentation time with M3-L was significantly longer than the other systems (P<0.05). The amount of resin removed and the change in surface area generated by the 4 systems were different at the apical, middle, and coronal thirds, and the total canal (P<0.05). Overall, WOG and XPS resulted in the less change than RCB and M3-L. There was no significant difference among the groups at the middle third regarding canal transportation and centering ability (P>0.05). However, a significant difference was found at the apical level (P<0.05), where RCB showed the poorest centering ability and the highest canal transportation (P<0.05). In addition, XPS resulted in the least canal transportation (P<0.05) at the coronal level, while there was no significant difference between the four groups in terms of centering ability. Conclusions:The M3-L instrument required more time to prepare the curved MB2 canals compared with the other systems. Overall, WOG and XPS showed the least resin removal and surface area change. M3-L, XPS, and WOG instruments respected the original canal curvature better than RCB files.
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